None
Tuesday, 29 August 2017

A 90s-themed quiz night organised by the UWA law students’ Blackstone Society is set to raise awareness of mental health issues in the legal profession.

Coinciding with R U OK?Day , the Blackstone Society’s annual quiz night will highlight the mental health struggles facing many law students while also raising funds for Lifeline .

Wellness Vice-President of the Blackstone Society , Samantha Rumenos, says numerous studies have recognised the high levels of psychological distress among law students across Australia.

“One study found that one third of law students, lawyers or barristers have depression at any given time, and up to 50 per cent report having experienced depression at some point throughout their studies or career,” Samantha said.

“The Blackstone Society recognises that mental health and wellness are imperative to law students. This is the reason we’ve chosen to raise funds for Lifeline—a national charity providing 24/7 mental health crisis support—in this year’s Mental Health Quiz Night.”

Supported by the UWA Law School and Allens , the quiz night will have a 90s theme in honour of the UWA Law School’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

Dean of the UWA Law School, Associate Professor Natalie Skead, has studied wellbeing in law students.

“Research has shown that from the first semester of  their  studies,  law  students  experience  stress,  anxiety  and  depression  at  rates  higher  than  the general population and their  contemporaries  studying other professional degrees such as medicine, nursing, psychology, and engineering,” Associate Professor Skead said.

“However, studies have also found that law students can increase their wellbeing by engaging in extracurricular law school and university activities that increase their sense of connectedness and belonging.

“This is why the UWA Law School is proud to support events such as the Mental Health Quiz Night.”

The Blackstone Society’s Mental Health Quiz Night will be held on 14 September to coincide with R U OK?Day. Tickets can be purchased here .

Media references

Verity Chia (Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education)                                              (+61 8) 6488 1346

Tags

Channels
Events — Students
Groups
Faculty of Arts, Business, Law and Education — Law